Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is a massive, underrated safari in the country that is situated in the north of Tanzania. Most of the visitors hurry to the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater, yet those who bother to visit Tarangire have found a place of amazing beauty, a place with a lot of wildlife and a tranquil environment not congested with people. The park is known to be home to giant baobab trees, large herds of elephants, and the picturesque river Tarangire that has been supporting life throughout the year and covers an area of about 2,850 square kilometres. As a first-time or an experienced safari type, reading the basics about Tarangire National Park will guide you to design an unforgettable safari experience.
Location and Accessibility
The Tarangire National Park is located at a distance of approximately 118 kilometres (73 miles) southwest of the city of Arusha, which is the main safari hub of Tanzania. The park is situated on the northern safari circuit and thus it is easy to combine with other popular sites like Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park.
Tarangire can be easily reached:
By road: Arusha is approximately 2-3 hours away by road, but it depends on the road conditions. The path goes through picturesque land and tiny Tanzanian villages.
Air: The Park has Kuro Airstrip, which has daily charter flights between it and Arusha, Serengeti or Zanzibar. This is the most convenient choice for travellers who have a tight schedule or those who want comfort.
Tarangire is also suitable for day trips as well as multi-day safaris due to its proximity to Arusha.
Park Landscape and Ecosystem.
The Tarangire landscape is remarkably different and can be characterised as rolling savannah, seasonal swamps and the legendary Tarangire River that cuts across the park. This river also forms the lifeline of the park during the dry season (June-October), which brings thousands of animals from the surrounding areas.
This river gave the park its name, which is translated as the river of warthogs in the local language, and it is called Tarangire. The plains are interspersed with ancient baobab trees, which are over a thousand years old and which are rising as natural monuments in the park. These trees not only give shade and shelter, but they also act as important reservoirs of water in dry months.
The ecosystem of this park is home to a large array of wildlife, as well as birds and types of vegetation, making the park one of the most ecologically rich reserves in Tanzania.
Wildlife Tarangire National Park.
Tarangire is a paradise for wildlife fans. The park is most famously known by the huge population of elephants in it, they are one of the largest in Tanzania. One can regularly encounter herds of up to 300 elephants at different times, bathing, feeding or being social near the riverbanks.
Other wildlife that is commonly found is the lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, impalas, warthogs, and baboons. During the dry season, the migratory wildlife of Lake Manyara and the adjacent regions enter Tarangire in large numbers and form a spectacular wildlife concentration.
The fringe-eared Oryx, the greater kudu and the African wild dog can also be found in Tarangire, one of the few areas in the northern part of Tanzania.
To the lovers of birds, Tarangire seems to be heaven. It also has more than 550 species of birds recorded; thus, it is among the prime birding sites in East Africa. The yellow collared lovebird, the ashy starling, the lilac-breasted roller and the spectacular Kori bustard are among the species, the heaviest flying bird in Africa.
Best Time to Visit Tarangire
Tarangire National Park can be best visited during the dry season (June to October). Animals flock around the Tarangire River among other water resources during this season, which provides excellent game views. There is also sparse vegetation, which enables one to see wildlife more easily.
Nevertheless, the wet season (November to May) is also in its own charm. The park is turned into a green heaven, inhabited by migratory birds and newly born animals. During these seasons, the roads might be dirty, but the beauty and calmness of the landscape make it perfect for the photographer and the bird lovers.
In the instance that you do not want to deal with the union of people but you would like to see some good wildlife, you should cut across in the shoulder months (May and November).
Safari Excursions at Tarangire.
Tarangire has more than usual game drives. The park has a wide range of activities in a safari to accommodate various tastes and levels of adventure:
Game Drives: Morning and afternoon game drives are the most common ones, which provide people with an opportunity to observe animals in their most active hours of the day. In some lodges outside the park, night game drives can be found, and they expose nocturnal animals such as civets, genets and porcupines.
Walking Safaris: Guided walking safaris will enable you to enjoy the ecosystem in the park. With an armed ranger, you will walk with the animals, be educated on plants and get to see various signs of wildlife that you would not see on a vehicle safari.
Birdwatching: Tarangire is a paradise for birdwatchers. The swamps and forests also host groups of pelicans, storks, hornbills and raptors.
Cultural Visits: World Savanna Safari Park has Poaching Sites, the Maasai and Barabaig villages that have managed to live in harmony with the wildlife without practising harm to the environment.
Accommodation Options
Tarangire has accommodation facilities in all budgets, including luxury lodges, mid-range tented lodges and low-end camp sites.
Luxury Lodges: like Tarangire Treetops and Sanctuary Swala Camp, which feature classy rooms, infinity pools and excellent views.
Mid-range Camps: Mid-range Camps include Tarangire Safari Lodge and Balloon Camp Tarangire, which are very comfortable but not luxurious.
Budget-friendly: There are eco-lodges and public campsites located around the fringes of the park that provide cheap accommodation to backpackers and self-drive tourists.
Being within the park will enable you to enjoy nature without interruptions, and you can hear the sounds of lions roaring or the sounds of elephants trumpeting at night.
Park Fees and Regulations
The Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) determines fee charges at the entrance points of the various parks. As of recent rates:
Foreigners: $59 per adult per day (excluding 18% VAT).
Children between 5-15 years are charged half of the adult price, and children below 5 are free
The visitors should not violate the park regulations, such as staying in cars during a game drive, feeding animals and mistreating nature at all costs.
Tarangire with Other Destinations.
Tarangire is better placed to incorporate itself in the northern Tanzania safari circuit. One of the popular paths is Tarangire – Lake Manyara – Ngorongoro Crater – Serengeti, which is a variety of landscapes and wildlife experiences. Almost all tour operators are able to package custom safaris depending on your time and financial constraints.
Conclusion
A safari trip in Tarangire National Park is an ideal combination of wildlife, scenery, and calm. Its iconic baobabs, huge herds of elephants and abundance of birds make it a very extraordinary place. And then, regardless of whether it is a short trip out of Arusha or a section of a more extensive northern circuit safari, Tarangire is an experience that will not be forgotten.
